Cougar Town (ABC)

common sense media says

Adult-oriented sex comedy lacks real bite.


parents & educators say
  • 57% say sexual content is an issue
  • 57% say there are positive messages

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that sex plays an important role in the show's plot, and there are some implied sex acts, including oral sex and masturbation. That said, no sensitive body parts are shown, only some skin (arms, legs, stomachs, male chests) and lingerie. There's also some mild language (mostly of the "damn," "hell," and "whore" variety) and comical violence. Adult characters tend to do a lot of social drinking, too, frequently swilling wine and beer.

Positive messages: On one hand, the show says that older women can be successful and sexually powerful without being cliched. On the other, it adopts the attitude of "Men do it, so why not women?" when it comes to women taking on younger sexual partners and one-night stands. Aging and getting older is usually portrayed in a pseudo-negative light.
Positive role models: Characters tend to say things without thinking (including "Wow, you're really black" to an African-American bouncer). They occasionally make foolish sexual decisions, too. At times, the main character’s well-balanced teenage son is the best role model.
Violence: Some mild physical violence (pushing, hitting another person with a sign) that's meant to be funny.
Sex: In the past, the main character has had casual sex with younger men; her male neighbor across the street has done the same with younger women. Some bare male chests, lingerie, and implied sex acts, including oral sex and masturbation. Lots of discussion and jokes about sex.
Language: Words like "hell," "damn," and "crap," are used frequently, as well as phrases like "hot as balls" and "you should hit that."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Frequent social drinking (usually wine), sometimes to the point of excess/cloudy judgment. A secondary character smokes cigarettes.

More on Cougar Town

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the show's take on gender roles when it comes to sex and relationships. Is society more accepting of an older man pairing with a younger woman than it is of an older woman choosing a younger man? If so, why?

  • What's your take on the main character? What are her strengths and weaknesses professionally and personally? How does she compare to her son as a role model?

  • What's the show's take on casual sex? Do characters ever suffer any consequences? What might happen in real life?

What's the story?

What's the story?

When divorcee Jules Cobb (Courteney Cox) goes back on the prowl in COUGAR TOWN, she tries slipping between the sheets with men nearly half her age and feeling alternately good and bad about it before she strikes up a friendship -- and eventual romance -- with her divorced neighbor, Grayson (Josh Hopkins). In the meantime, her teenage son, Travis (Dan Byrd), has to grapple with his mom's newfound social life and keep an eye on his immature dad (Brian Van Holt).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Cougar Town has strayed a long way from its initial premise, in which Cox cheerfully acted out the wince-worthy "cougar" stereotype by chugging martinis, picking up recent college grads and blathering on about her "coochie cooch." And that’s a relief for those who were willing to cut Cox a break because they loved her in Friends -- because now they don’t have to work so hard to defend her latest project. It’s actually funny, and it gives its talented ensemble much better material. In fact, the best part about the revamped Cougar Town is that it really has nothing to do with its original title (a title so bad that network execs even toyed with the idea of changing it).

Now, it’s less about who Jules is sleeping with -- or how old they are -- and more about the group dynamic between Jules and her friends (Christa Miller, Ian Gomez, and Busy Phillips), which makes more room for hilarious plots involving The Usual Suspects, Enrique Iglesias, and a neti pot. Maybe you ruled this one out before, but it’s definitely worth a second look.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: ABC
Cast: Busy Philipps, Courteney Cox, Dan Byrd
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: ABC

This review was written by Kari Croop
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13
Based on 7 parent & educator reviews:
  • 57% say sexual content is an issue
  • 57% say there are positive messages
  • 57% say language is an issue
  • 43% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
  • 29% say there are positive role models

Most useful reviews by all members

Jourdy288
teen, 17 years old
 
Do not recommend for kids, teens, or any age for that matter.
I have read the synopsis of a couple episodes, and... Where do I start?! The name, perhaps should be a dead giveaway to it's content. In case you're not aware of it's meaning, a "Cougar" is an older woman seeking a younger man. This isn't generally accepted the other way around (but that's a different story), and that's just the tip of the iceberg. According to this article, the one on Wikipedia, and of course just the advertisements, I've decided this show is definitely not for kids. "The main character has casual sex with younger men; her male neighbor across the street does the same with younger women...implied sex acts, including oral sex and masturbation. Lots of discussion about sex." OR the description of Episode 12 from Season 1: "Jules freaks out when things heat up with her boyfriend, Jeff. Meanwhile, Laurie seeks diversion sex with an unsuspecting friend and Andy spills the beans about his big secret. " If I had children I'd REALLY rather not expose them (or myself, for that matter) to such lewd, idiotically frivolous garbage that's being passed off as television. The focus is on sex, and getting more of it, simply at an older age. According to one blog, "It's clichéd, it's lame, it's undignified. It smacks of predatory desperation." I'm disgusted, and refuse to watch it.

Safemancam001
teen, 14 years old
 
Alright for older teens
The show stinks. It's all about women and there sex lifes. My mom likes it. It must be a women's show.

 
crude humor
its a good show starring courtney cox known for friends,Scream,Scream 2,Scream 3,Scream 4 nothings bad in this movie just crude humor and langauge like what the he** or son of a b!***

NYCDTG
adult
 
Fantastic show! 5/5
I absolutely love this show. I can see it going very far. At the least, i can see it for, maybe, a 5th season...? Love the she very much. =-)

Bobblehead123
kid, 13 years old
 
Not for kids
Okay, I've never really seen a whole show before. But the bits and pieces I've seen have the issues listed above.

pinkypinkpinkp
parent of 15 year old
 
Just enjoy it for crying out loud
I love love love this show. If you don't like your kids watching it then don't let them. Send them to go read or do homework or be productive and you as an adult sit down for 30 mins of hilarious fun.

cape
parent of 16 year old
 
ok
well im a guy and i think this show is cute just not very funny

Yazannatour
parent of 18 year old
 
love it to death

 
Comprehensive age 12+ under if enlightened
Courtney, you are going fabulous sense "Masters of the Universe", yes I follow, and a natural for this mid age character trying to relive 20s. You guys are looking great in writing and directing, keep the laughs coming, thanks

BrewerLady
parent of and 8 , 11 , 14 year old
 
Characters are MEAN...and jokes aren't funny.
one of the characters is a very mean person. supposed to be funny, but isn't. Jokes are repeatedly made at other people's expense. Main character has a large wine glass that she turns to when she is unhappy. I have watched since the first season, and it was better in the beginning. It seems to keep getting worse.

uvkitty
teen, 16 years old
 
Just NO.
Trash tv.

htlcrtk
parent of 6 , and 11 , 11 year old
 
Not for the kids.
Clearly something that I watch after the kids are asleep Definitely a ridiculous show.

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